Hanging my Paintings

One of the freedoms of working with unstretched canvas is that it can be cut to just about any shape I choose. This is good on one hand but it is not without its problems when it comes to hanging and presenting the finished work. 


On several occasions I have created works where the bottom is significantly wider than the top (e.g. a pyramid shape) or where the sides are wider than the top or bottom (such as a hexagonal shape). This has resulted in the sides of the painting curling over once it has been hung to the extent where the canvas more or less rolls itself up until it reaches the point where the top and bottom of the painting line up on the vertical axis.


This is annoying and is a problem I have yet to overcome satisfactorily. I like the fact that my paintings can be rolled or folded up for transportation so I don't want to use anything that would make the canvas inflexible.


I have considered using of some sort of external support (perhaps wire or metal strips) that would be attached to the back of the painting. However, I don't really want to add any additional materials to the canvas.


Anyway, canvas shape aside, my current means of hanging paintings is with tarpaulin clips like this. The tightening mechanism is really simple and they have a handy hole so can be easily attached to hooks or bolts driven into the wall. Also, I think they fit in well with the overall aesthetic of my work.

Tarpaulin Clip

Berkeley Nuclear Power Station Boilers

Here is something interesting that happened a few days ago and not too far away down in South Gloucestershire. I would have loved to have seen this! Two 310-tonne steel boilers from the decommissioned Berkeley Nuclear Power Station on the first leg of their journey to Sweden to be recycled. They were taken by road from the power station to Sharpness docks where they were transported to Avonmouth by barge before being shipped to Sweden.

Boilers being transported through Berkeley (image: Magnox)

You can get a clearer idea of the scale of these vessels by taking a look at a short video on the BBC Gloucestershire website, filmed as they trundled through the village.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17432106

and for those interested in more than just the visual appeal of this operation, there is more background and detail on the World Nuclear news website.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/WR-Bon_voyage_to_Berkeley_boilers-2003127.html

Cold War Book Recommendations

Here are two fabulous books, both of which I would highly recommend to anyone with an interest in the architectural legacy of the Cold War. Both seem to be still in print so if you are interested in finding out more or buying a copy just follow the links below...


Subterranean Britain - Cold War Bunkers by Nick Catford

Cold War - Building for Nuclear Confronation by Wayne D Cocroft and Roger JC Thomas. Edited by PS Barnwell

Alberto Burri

I had hoped to see the Alberto Burri exhibition currently running at the Estorick collection in London (until 7 April) but unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it. This is shame as I can only recall ever seeing one of his works in the flesh, at the Tate I think (pre Tate Modern). It was a long time ago but I think this is the one I saw...


Sacco e Rosso (Sacking and Red), 1954


and here is a link to the exhibition:


http://www.estorickcollection.com/exhibitions/index.php


Not sure how many works are on display but I imagine it would be well worth a visit . I wonder if there is a catalogue...

Concrete Wall

I have just completed a new painting that I have been working on since January. It is loosely based on a section of concrete wall on the old Sizewell A nuclear power station that happened to catch my eye. In this particular section of wall there are no actual holes but there are evenly spaced circular forms which are clearly visible on the surface and it is these which provided me with the starting point for this painting.

Nic Pehkonen, Concrete Wall, 2012, 
Household emulsion paint on unstretched canvas
 hung off 4 x tarpaulin clips, w 169 cm x h 178 cm

Concrete Wall (detail)

Concrete Wall (even more detail)

Cheltenham Architecture

Here are some images of a few of my favourite buildings in Cheltenham.


This building (below) dates from 1894 although I read that the top level was added a few years later, around the turn of the century. It was originally built as an electricity sub-station and is said to be roughly modelled on the 15th century Strozzi Palace in Florence. I guess you can see some elements of this but whatever the case, I think it definitely stands up on its own architectural merits through its satisfying proportions and fantastic brick and stone exterior.

The former Central Electricity Lighting Station - now currently the 
Strozzi Palace (Hotel apartments)

Strozzi Palace, Florence

Here is another one. Cheltenham House with its wonderful sweeping curve and 3 piece Barbara Hepworth relief sculpture. The building was completed in 1972 and was the head office of Cheltenham & Gloucester Building Society.

Cheltenham House, 1972

Theme and Variations, Barbara Hepworth, 1969-1972

In St James' Square you can find the 'Engine House' and the old Fire Station. I haven't researched their history but they are both fantastic looking buildings from the outside. I am curious to know what they are like on the inside as these are the sort of buildings that I would love to live in!

Engine House, St James' Square

The Old Fire Station, St James' Square. (Where I would like to live,
along with the Engine House next door!)

Just around the corner we have St James House. I'm not sure of the exact date of this building but it is definitely one of my favourite office buildings in Cheltenham (from the outside anyway).

I find it very satisfying to look at with it's undulating exterior detail.

St James House - nice gently curving walls

St James House, Exterior detail

More to come another time...

Cam Long Down

These are three paintings I have recently completed of Cam Long Down (near Dursley, Gloucestershire). They are all views looking towards the top and by including very little in the way of detail they give the impression of the hill being much larger than it actually is! 

Nic Pehkonen, Cam Long Down, 2012, Acrylic on Canvas

Nic Pehkonen, Cam Long Down, 2012, Acrylic on Canvas

Nic Pehkonen, Cam Long Down, 2012, Acrylic on Canvas

Gloucester

I happened to be in Gloucester for a short while yesterday and captured a few examples of it's amazing architecture. There are plenty more interesting buildings like these and I would highly recommend a good look round the city, if architecture is your thing.

Bruton Way Multi-Storey Car park and Office Block, Gloucester

Detail of building above the row of shops behind the Bus Station, Gloucester

Twyver House, opposite the Train Station and currently occupied by the Land Registry, Gloucester